Origin
Scottsdale, AZ
Afternoon in Scottsdale on Thursday
Local time
1:29 PM
MST
Current temp
92°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Scottsdale, AZ to Arivaca Junction, AZ
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 44m
Distance
152.6 mi
246 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 34m
★
6 AM
2h 45m
8 AM
3h 6m
10 AM
2h 52m
12 PM
2h 50m
3 PM
2h 53m
5 PM
3h 5m
8 PM
2h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Scottsdale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Arivaca Junction, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
This 152.6-mile drive from Scottsdale to Arivaca Junction, Arizona, will take approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, and Nogales–Tucson Highway, this route is well-suited for a single day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $30, it's an economical option for exploring the Desert Southwest region. The road's 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests a more engaged driving experience rather than a simple interstate cruise. This journey is a straightforward excursion within Arizona, offering a manageable distance for a day's exploration.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.3 miles from Scottsdale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 44m. Total distance: 152.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' experience on this 152.6-mile journey, with only about 15% of the route on higher-speed highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.6 miles along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. This profile indicates a route that requires more frequent adjustments and navigation through varied road conditions, rather than a consistent, high-speed transit. As you progress, the character of the drive will likely shift between faster segments and more localized, potentially slower, sections, demanding your attention throughout.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 54.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 152.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
15.3 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward AZ 202 Loop West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 61B
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
6
19.3 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West: Tucson, Phoenix
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 55A-B
Toward I 10 West: Tucson, Phoenix
8
19.8 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 55B
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
7
118.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 19 South: Nogales
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 260
Toward I 19 South: Nogales
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Scottsdale, AZ to Arivaca Junction, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Phoenix along the way.
Phoenix
19.3 mi in
|
~23m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.6 mi | 55m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 37.8 mi | 38m |
| Nogales–Tucson Highway | 33 mi | 37m |
| Price Freeway | 9.4 mi | 10m |
| North Freeway | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| Pima Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| Santan Freeway | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| East Chaparral Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.6 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale, AZ and Arivaca Junction, AZ.
1
Start on this road
64 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Chaparral Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop South
4
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Price Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 61B
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Santan Freeway
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 55A-B
Toward I 10 West: Tucson, Phoenix
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Exit 55B
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10
55 mi
·
55 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 260
Toward I 19 South: Nogales
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 19
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Nogales–Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward Arivaca Road
16
Turn right onto West Arivaca Road
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
West Arivaca Road
17
Continue on West Arivaca Road
424 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Arivaca Road
18
Arrive at destination
West Arivaca Road
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 44-minute duration, this route is comfortably achievable in a single day. Aim to depart Scottsdale in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unforeseen delays. While there's only one designated stop, the 'turn-heavy' nature of the drive means you'll likely encounter opportunities for brief pauses naturally. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated $30 cost suggests a moderate consumption rate for the 152.6 miles. A specific tip for this drive: be prepared for the frequent turns and changes in speed limits indicated by the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.3 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 34 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.3 miles or 1h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arivaca Junction, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Scottsdale, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Scottsdale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 152.6 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Scottsdale, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.3 mi from Scottsdale, AZ · 1h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.3 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Arivaca Junction, AZ
The final approach into Arivaca Junction, AZ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Arivaca Junction, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.40 one way
$60.80 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $32.17 | $64.34 |
| premium | $5.59 | $33.59 | $67.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.69 | $67.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.8 | 0 | $16.02 | $7.32 |
| Efficient EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.35 | $6.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61 | 0 | $21.36 | $9.77 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Arivaca Junction, AZ
Afternoon in Arivaca Junction on Thursday
Local time
1:29 PM
MST
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
44 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 44m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Scottsdale, AZ to Arivaca Junction, AZ covers 152.6 miles and takes about 2h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, Nogales–Tucson Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.3 miles from Scottsdale, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.40 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 152.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Scottsdale, AZ to Arivaca Junction, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Phoenix along the way.
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